India is entering the final days of the 2026 southwest monsoon with reservoir storage below its long-term average, raising concerns about water availability during the months ahead.
According to the latest Central Water Commission data, water stored in 178 monitored reservoirs stands at about 70% of their combined live storage capacity. This is below the 10-year average of 76.62% and also lower than the 79% recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
National storage: 178 monitored reservoirs are at around 70% of combined capacity.
10-year average: Storage is below the decadal average of 76.62%. Southern India: Reservoirs are at approximately 50% of capacity.
Southern rainfall: The region recorded about 23% below-normal rainfall by September 28.
Western region: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa reservoirs were at about 84.61% of combined capacity.
Monsoon deadline: The southwest monsoon season is scheduled to end on September 30.
The situation is particularly pronounced in southern India. Reservoirs across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are holding around 50% of their total capacity, compared with 87.25% during the corresponding period in 2025.
The southern region has also recorded rainfall below normal levels. India Meteorological Department data cited in the latest reports put the region's rainfall deficit at around 23% as of September 28.
The development comes just before the southwest monsoon season officially concludes on September 30. Since the monsoon contributes more than 70% of India's annual rainfall, its withdrawal limits the opportunity for widespread reservoir replenishment from the same seasonal system.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Reservoir storage at the end of the monsoon is an important indicator for water management during the post-monsoon and winter periods. Lower storage can place additional pressure on irrigation planning, particularly in areas where agriculture depends heavily on stored surface water. Reservoir levels can also influence drinking-water planning and hydropower generation. The regional variation is equally important. A national average can mask significant differences between states and river basins. Southern India, for example, is currently experiencing much lower reservoir storage than several western and central regions. For policymakers and water managers, the coming months will therefore depend not only on the national storage figure but also on how individual reservoirs and river basins are managed through the dry season.
The water situation is uneven across the country. Northern reservoirs have also recorded a significant year-on-year decline, while eastern and northeastern areas are dealing with rainfall deficits in several states.
In western India, the picture is comparatively stronger but still below last year's levels. The 58 reservoirs monitored across Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa were holding about 84.61% of their combined capacity, compared with 95.79% a year earlier.
The data does not automatically indicate an immediate nationwide water shortage. Reservoir conditions vary considerably by region, basin and individual dam. However, lower-than-average storage at the end of the southwest monsoon can become an important factor for irrigation, drinking-water planning and hydropower availability during the dry season.
